Saturday, 30 January 2010

The "experts" will always tell you to make a bee-line for charity shops in well-to-do areas but in my opinion that's misguided, do so and expect stiff competition and higher prices as the well-heeled volunteers know their labels. It's better to head for more down-at-heel, less trendy areas where the locals buy second-hand from need rather than style, where practicality is prized over glamour so prices are low and pickings rich.

Earlier today I picked up this 1950's "Emgee, London" suit for £4 and the TopShop t-bar shoes for £2.95.

Never worry about sizing in charity shops, pick out what you like and try it on. Items are often incorrectly labelled and due to our ever-expanding waistlines a vintage size 12 is the equivalent of our modern UK size 8. My suit was marked by the volunteer as a Size 6, but fits like a glove and as the shoes are leather and pre-worn I got away with a size smaller than usual.

Friday, 29 January 2010

There's nothing to beat some retail therapy for brightening up a cold, dull January day. The mere sight of a charity shop never fails to get my pulse racing and on entering the hallowed ground my heart is all of a flutter. No clothes rail is left overlooked whilst boxes of bric-a-brac, tangles of beads, bangles and conjoined belts, shelves of books and baskets of underwear are rifled through in the hope of uncovering a hidden gem.

Today's finds in the British Heart Foundation included a TopShop ditsy print ruffled blouse for £2.99 and some TopShop suede pom-pom pumps for 1.99

These vintage glass decanters were 10p each from the Salvation Army and perfect for filling with brightly coloured bubble bath.

The cute 1950's tooled leather handbag was a snip at £1.99 in Acorns Hospice charity shop.

Despite today's weather, Jacob, my 34 year old tortoise decided to make an early appearance from his winter hibernation.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

This was the dress I wore on Saturday night, you might be mistaken for thinking it was vintage but it's actually a £5 Peacock's sales bargain. I love it! The quality, style and vibrant colour all shout sixties Go-Go dancer.

I kept the accessories to a minimum with black opaques and patent platform heels (ex-Faith, local market £5) and dug out some of my stash of sixties perspex and plastic costume jewellery. The huge orange ring was worn by my Mum when she was expecting me, almost an antiquee!

On the theme of pink, I have to say I'm tickled pink by the award the lovely Kel at Silver Peacock sent me:

I've got to list seven weird and wonderful things about myself that you might not already know, so here goes:

I'm a natural blonde but reinvented myself as a raven-headed girl four years ago. I even had my eyebrows tattooed on in black to match.

I've had a total hip replacement and opted to stay awake during the operation - a bizzare experience.

I've had my pet tortoise, Jacob, since the long hot summer of 1976.

Even though I've been a vegetarian most of my life I'm also a qualified chef and ran several restaurants during my 10 year career in the hospitality business.

I've ridden across the Sahara desert on a camel.

My boyfriend was the original lead guitarist for Madchester band, The Charlatans - suppose that makes me a real live groupie.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Take a peek at our bedroom. The bed and antique Indian rug were eBay bargains, the Edwardian dressing table, Lloyd Loom ottoman and 1950's lampshades were charity shop finds and the snake's head brass wall sconces and vintage "Tina" print both car boot buys. The Lloyd Loom bedside table is one of a pair salvaged from a local skip scrubbed and spray painted.

The black crystal chandelier was a birthday present. The feature wall is covered in Laura Ashley's Kimono paper and the remainder painted in Farrow and Ball's charcoal grey "Down Pipe".

Monday, 25 January 2010

After unearthing the skirt in a local vintage store I was instantly hit by a wave of nostalgia and memories of my 1970's childhood. My Mum's friend had a trouser suit in the same groovy fabric which I considered the epitome of glamour.

Priced at a mere £5 I snapped it up without a second thought - luckily it was a perfect fit.

There's nothing more decadent than slipping on a glamorous number after an long, indulgent soak in the bath and uncorking a bottle of wine, especially on a school night.

The 5p vintage schoolgirl leotard was another of Saturday's jumble sale purchases -the smooth lines make for perfection under a high waisted skirt.

Find me on Instagram

I'm Vix, a jumble sale-ing, car-booting, skip-diving, charity shopping, hedonistic hippy chick in love with life, India and vintage clothes.
In my world getting dressed is always an adventure, never a chore. My style is Woodstock refugee meets Rolling Stones groupie with a bit of vintage Bollywood thrown in. I don't follow fashion and if I look ridiculous so what? Not being noticed and blending in with the crowd is my idea of hell.
A day without dressing up is a day wasted.